BOHEMIANS title hopes suffered a severe jolt at the Showgrounds on Saturday night when they crashed to a late Tony Kelly goal.
Kelly, the former Wigan Athletic midfielder, marked his home debut in spectacular fashion with a dramatic winner two minutes from time. Kelly started the move with a superb cross field pass to Marcus Hallows, and when Michael Love eventually turned the ball across the area there was Kelly to unleash an unstoppable drive.
Bohemians were entitled to feel a little unfortunate to come away empty handed from a game to which they made a large contribution. Having looked the better side in the closing stages of the first half, the Dubliners showed a curious lack of adventure after the break and paid the ultimate penalty.
Sligo, with three players making their home debut, and ex St Patrick's man Liam Buckley introduced in the second half, got off to the best possible start with the lead goal after just four minutes. Kelly's free from the left picked out Dale Hawtin and he beat Dave Henderson with a powerful header.
Tommy Gaynor, making his debut for the Dalymount club, put the sides on level terms after 10 minutes, and only the intervention of the crossbar denied Donal Broughan giving the visitors the lead in the 25th minute.
Sligo showed greater conviction after the break and Hallows, Steve Berks and Buckley all wasted clear cut chances before Kelly pounced for the winner.
